Libya criticises UK recognition of rebels
Muammar Gaddafi’s regime says Britain’s decision to diplomatically recognise Libya’s rebels is “irresponsible, illegal, and a violation of British and international law.”
The recognition of the Transitional National Council (TNC) and the expulsion of all Libyan diplomats from the Gaddafi regime was announced by Foreign Minister William Hague on Wednesday, 12 days after the US officially recognised the NTC.
Colonel Gaddafi’s government said the British move was “illegal and irresponsible” and a “stain on the forehead of Britain”.
“We will go to the International Court of Justice and the national courts in Britain, and we will use their justice,” said Libya’s deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim.
However, the British move won praise from rebels fighting in the western mountains.
“We are encouraged by what Britain has done and there is no way Gaddafi can stay in Libya,” said Fakkan.
“The fighting will get much worse now because he will have to fight to survive and the Libyans do not want him.”
Recognition in the UK means the NTC can send its own diplomatic personnel, who will be treated like the representatives of any other government, and can receive millions of dollars in frozen oil funds.
Hague said that “Gaddafi is going to have to abandon power, all military and civil responsibility”, but “what happens to Gaddafi is ultimately a question for the Libyans”.
Read more: Gaddafi's diplomats expelled from Britain
France and the US have made similar statements.
But Russia has criticised such moves as a “policy of isolation” that takes sides in a civil war and goes beyond the UN mandate of protecting civilians.
Russia has said Gaddafi must go and has recognised the NTC as a party to negotiations to end the conflict, but it has not disavowed Gaddafi’s regime or said the NTC is the sole representative of the Libyan people.
